POLL: Not so fast on Park Shore Drive name change, Naples residents respond

A cyclist turns onto Park Shore Drive in Naples on June 15, 2010. Naples City Council is considering changing the name of Park Shore Drive to Lutgert Drive, in honor of the late Raymond Lutgert. Greg Kahn/Staff

NAPLES - Keep Park Shore Drive just the way it is.

That's the message dozens of Park Shore residents have sent to Naples officials in the week since Naples City Council first suggested changing the name to Lutgert Drive.

Council members have received about 40 e-mails to their city of Naples e-mail addresses since June 16, according to a Daily News records request. The vast majority of those e-mails criticize council members for considering renaming the street.

"I don't believe renaming Park Shore Drive should occur given this was this man's ‘business endeavor' not a philanthropic venture," resident Pat Head wrote in a June 17 e-mail to council. "He made tons of money in the development of Park Shore. While he extended many acts of charity, we have a town full of people just like him. Where would it stop if we began renaming streets?"

In mid-June, Councilman John Sorey asked Naples City Council to consider changing the name of Park Shore Drive to Lutgert Drive after Raymond Lutgert, the community's developer.

Lutgert died May 28. He was 90.

Council initially authorized city staff to look into the name-change process, but two days later _ during the June 16 City Council meeting _ council members decided to hold off on the decision until this fall.

The decision came after council members expressed that residents wouldn't have a say in the name change if the city were to move forward as planned.

The city had received two e-mails at the time of the June 16 meeting. But by this week, the city had received dozens of e-mails from residents concerned about the proposed change.

"I've recently heard the name Park Shore Drive is under consideration for change to Lutgert Drive," Meredith Coolidge wrote in a June 17 e-mail.

"Whereas I hold the utmost respect for Mr. Lutgert and his heirs, Park Shore Drive is a neighborhood landmark and a major artery in Naples. I'd prefer to see the bridge at Venetian Village be designated Lutgert Memorial Bridge."

Lutgert purchased 760 acres of barren land north of Naples in 1965. That property later would be developed into Park Shore, a beach-front community featuring single-family homes, high-rises and a waterfront shopping center, Village on Venetian Bay.

Park Shore is touted as the first planned unit development in Florida, and became a model for other developments.

Sorey recently said he was surprised that people have been so resistant to the idea.

"He deserves a tribute based on what he's contributed to the city," Sorey said. "I think renaming (Park Shore Drive) is a good way to do that."

He's not alone.

Two of the nearly 40 e-mails have applauded Sorey for his suggestion.

"Yes, I think that would be an honor for Ray and his family," Judy Johnson wrote in a June 18 e-mail. "The Lutgert family certainly has gone way beyond the call of duty for Park Shore."

Lutgert also helped start a specialized cancer center for the NCH Healthcare System, and the College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero is named after him.

"Many believe his leadership and services to the Naples community deserves special recognition," City Manager Bill Moss said in a June 18 response to an e-mail.

But that recognition may not come in the form of a street name.

While Mayor Bill Barnett didn't say whether the street's name will be changed, he did say Lutgert will have something named after him.

"It was just an idea, this was a worthy idea," Barnett said recently. "I think the bottom line that will occur is that Ray Lutgert will have something named after him that is very significant."

The council isn't expected to discuss whether to rename the street until at least September.

Here's what some residents are saying about the possible name change from Park Shore Drive to Lutgert Drive:

"I think the current name properly introduces our subdivision ‘Park Shore' as it is the main entrance into our neighborhood and I do not support the name change. I would prefer considering the double name ‘Crayton-Lutgert Road.' I'm also in favor of renaming our Park Shore beach park perhaps to ‘The Raymond Lutgert Memorial Park.' I think the residents of Park Shore and the Park Shore Association should make this decision, not the city."

_ Sandra Leddy, Naples

* * * * *

"Consideration of changing the name in honor of Raymond Lutgert is honor enough. Park Shore Drive is an institution in itself and a plaque would be sufficient honor. Name a section of the beach for him but not Park Shore Drive."

_ Jerry Adair, Naples

* * * * *

"As president of Hidden Lake Villas Condominium Association, a 240-unit residential (complex), I do not feel that the change of address is well-advised or appropriate. It will create a great deal of expense for our association as well as the 240 property owners to change stationery, and to notify all businesses that each of us deal with. It would create numerous changes such as licenses, auto registrations, banking and investment houses, as well as city and county offices to just cite a few of the items that would be affected by this change."

"Setting precedent by naming a street after someone is wrong; bringing it up when residents of the street are away for the summer is wrong; and taking City Council and city employees' time when we are in a budget crunch and need to devote time to a city problem is wasteful."